Adjustable shelving and supporting means therefor



Feb. 21, 1967 STRQMQUIST ETAL 3,304,893

ADJUSTABLE SHELVING AND SUPPORTING MEANS THEREFOR Filed March 15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS 28 7o 68 M/cmQEL E. STEOMQLJIST 2040 A. 1; .IHGE'LBACH Feb. 21, 1967 3,304,893

ADJUSTABLE SHELVING AND SUPPORTING MEANS THEREFOR Filed March 15. 1964 M. E. STROMQUIST ETAL 2 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTORS -STROM ou/sT GERALD A. IIHGELBACH ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 3,304,893 ADJUSTABLE SHELVING AND SUPPORTIN MEANS THEREFOR Michael E. Stromquist, Los Angeles, Calif. (6112 Longridge Ave., Van Nuys, Calif. 91401), and Gerald A. Lirzigelbach, 2922 Graceland Way, Glendale, Calif. 91 06 Filed May 15, 1964, Ser. No. 367,836 6 Claims. (Cl. 108146) This invention relates to adjustable shelves and supporting means therefor, and more particularly to adjustable display shelves that are readily assembled and adjusted for optimum storage and maximum visibility of their contents.

Many display shelves presently in existence are adjustable to some extent. However, such shelves and their supporting means have one or more disadvantages in that although they are adjustable, they are not easily installed, or repositioned and they are not normally independently adjustable. Moreover, generally they lack asthetic appeal. It is well known in the field of marketing that none of the shelving arrangements in common use permits the full utilization of all of the available display space, particularly in the front of display enclosures such as glass front refrigerated cabinets where items positioned close to the glass doors might be shown to best advantage.

Adjustable display shelves and their supporting means, in accordance with the present invention, are particularly adapted for display of items within such refrigerated cabinets and behind such glass doors. Of course, their use is not restricted thereto since they may be utilized in other display environments.

Briefly, in the subject invention, as employed in a lighted refrigerated display case, the front shelf supporting and light fixture standards are positioned behind the door frames and attached to the cabinet header. The shelves serve as a guide for spacing of these standards across the front of the cabinet, and are preferably of the same width as the doors themselves. The shelves have frames which permit their direct insertion into notches provided on the front standards. Rear standards are positioned approximately a shelf length from the front standards and are provided with moveable clips near their rear corners which may be positioned over similar notches on the rear standards. The shelves may be positioned horizontally or they may be tilted forwardly or rearwardly and to either side. Front shelving extensions have curved arms that fit into notches on the front support standards above the adjacent shelves. These extensions are supported by these arms and are restrained from rearward motion by being adapted to abut against the forward edge of their associated shelves. Leg levelers at the bottom of each rear standard compensate for floor irregularities and permit easy leveling of the shelves.

With the foregoing generalized description in mind, but with the understanding that such description is intended only to illustrate one of a number of included embodiments of the subject invention, as will be pointed out more fully hereinabove it is an object of 'the present invention to provide for new and improved adjustable shelves and supporting means therefor which eliminate the deficiencies referred to above as they appear in existing shelving arrangements.

Another object is the provision of sturdy, durable adjustable shelving and support means therefor that may be simply and economically manufactured and installed,

Patented Feb. 21, 1967 that permits single shelf repositioning as desired, that is fully adjustable without requiring extra parts, and that utilizes front shelving extension for increased impulse buying appeal.

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a typical display cabinet utilizing the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective view showing the shelf connection with the front shelf support;

FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective view showing adjacent shelves clipped to a rear standard; and

FIGURE 6 is a partial perspective view showing the mounting of a front shelving extension.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 there is shown a display cabinet 10, such as a refrigerated dairy products cabinet typically found in supermarkets. Usually such cabinets have a rear or side door, not shown, for entry and storage of products. Across the front of the cabinet 10 are access doors 12, generally of clear sealed double glass panels 14 in wood or anodized aluminum frames 16. While these doors may be of the sliding type, they are more frequently of the vertically hinged camlift self-closing type illustrated in FIGURE 1. The present invention is equally adaptable to either type of closure. In the cabinet constructed as shown, handle 18 is provided for the customers convenience in opening the door.

Visible through the glass panels 14 of doors 12 are a plurality of shelves 20 adjusted to desired heights and spacing to accommodate the products displayed thereon for customer selection. Behind the vertical portions of the door frames 12 so as not to be seen from the front may be front shelf support and light fixture standards. One of these standards 22 is shown in FIGURE 1 at the right where portions of the cabinet are broken away so that it might be shown. A long tubular fluorescent light 24 is shown mounted in front of the standard 22.

In FIGURE 2 there is shown in partial plan view the side wall 26 of cabinet 10 with door frame 16 pivotally mounted by hinge 28 to the front edge. In closed position the handle portion of the frame abuts seal 30. Within frame 16 are double glass panels 14 with an insulating dead-air space in between. Behind the vertical portions of frame 16 are front shelf support and light fixture standards 22 positioned with the lights 24 facing forewardly. These standards are sturdy steel U-channel posts with rearwardly directed notched ribs 32 upon which the front corners 34 of shelf 20 are mounted. An L-shaped channel or similar feature strip- 36 may be provided along the leading edge of the shelf 20 for decorative effect or as a means for supporting advertising materials or price tickets.

Free standing U-channel posts 38 with forewardly directed ribs 40 serve as rear shelf standards. Ribs 40 are suitably notched to receive clips 42 by which the rear edge 44 of shelf 20 is supported. It should be noted that if desired one of the rear standards 38 may receive clips from adjacent shelves.

A front shelf extension 44 extends in front of the L- shaped channel 36 along the leading edge of shelf 20- and closely adjacent the glass panel 14 of door 12. This shelf extension 44' has arms 46 with outwardly projecting portions 48 which also engage notches in ribs 32 of the front standards 22, as will be more clearly shown in FIGURES 3 and 6.

Referring now to FIGURE 3 there is shown a front cabinet header 52 and sill 54 between which door frame 16 of access door 12 is positioned. As earlier stated, this door includes a double glass panel 14 suitably sealed within door frame 16. Strips 56 about the door prevent cold air leakage when the door is closed. Front shelf support and light fixture standard 22 is attached to the inner surface of header 52 and sill 54, although it may also be adapted for mounting on the lower header surface and sill surface if desired. Light 24 is mounted forwardly on the standard, just behind the door 12. Ribs 32 of standard 22 extend rearwardly and have slots 58 extending inwardly from the rear edge 60. These slots terminate in downwardly directed notches 62 into which cross-membcrs 64 of shelves may be positioned. A perspective view of this arrangement may be seen in FIG- URE 4. Also positioned in selected ones of notches 62 are the outwardly projecting portions 48 of arms 46 at each end of the front shelving extension 44.

The front shelving extension 44 comprises a heavy gauge wire frame 66 adapted to fit between the front shelf supports 22 and between the Lchannel 36 along the front of shelf 20 and the inner face of the glass in front door 12. A similar L-channel or feature strip 68 extends along the front of frame 66 and forms a support to which a price tag molding 70 may be attached. Arms 46 extend upwardly and rearwardly from the rear of the ends of frame 66 and terminate in outwardly projecting portions 48 which fit into notches 62 above the notches receiving the front edges of shelf 20. The back edge of frame 66 abuts the L-channel 36 along the front edge of shelf 20, thereby stabilizing and supporting the front shelving extension 44. A perspective view of this arrangement may be seen in FIGURE 6.

A modified form of the subject invention is illustrated in the lower shelf arrangement of FIGURE 3. Here the L-channel 36 is omitted from the front of shelf 20 and the front shelving extension 44 is provided with a rearwardly extending flange 45 which is adapted to hook under the leading cross-member 64 of shelf 20, thereby creating a somewhat firmer support for extension 44 than is provided in the arrangement in which extension 44 merely abuts against L-channel 68.

In still another modified form of the invention arms 46 may be formed to extend downwardly and rearwardly and adapted to permit outwardly projecting portions 48 to engage notches 63 below the level of the shelving extension 44.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, each of shelves 20 has clips 42 pivotally mounted along the rear edge of the shelf, preferably near a corner thereof. Rear posts 38 are of plated steel U-channel construction and are preferably identical to the front supports 22. The ribs 40 are forwardly directed and have downwardly directed slots 72 terminating in notches 74. Hooks 76 are thus formed over which the free ends of clips 42 having apertures 78 may be inserted. After several shelves are thus installed the rear posts 38 are free-standing and do not need to be attached to the display cabinet itself. A leg leveler bolt 80 may be provided to make the shelves 20 level when the cabinet floor is uneven. Of course, at the option of the merchandiser, the shelves 20 may be installed on an incline to better and more effectively display its wares if desired.

While the foregoing description and illustrations have been directed to a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that this is merely by way of illustration, and that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the contemplation of our invention and the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Adjustable shelving and supporting means therefor comprising:

(a) two or more vertical front shelf support means having rearwardly extending ribs,

a plurality of first slots extending forwardly from the rear edge of said ribs and terminating in downwardly directed notches therein defining front hooks;

(b) two or more vertical rear shelf support means having forwardly extending ribs,

a plurality of second slots extending rearwardly from the forward edge of said ribs and terminating in downwardly directed notches therein defining rear hooks;

(c) shelves adapted to engage selected ones of said front hooks in adjacent pairs of said front shelf support means and having moveable clips adapted to engage selected ones of said rear hooks in adjacent pairs of said rear shelf support means;

(d) shelving extensions adapted to fit between said adjacent pairs of front shelf support means forwardly of said shelves and in abutting relationship therewith, and

supporting arms connected to said shelving extensions and having outwardly extending portions adapted to engage selected ones of said front hooks.

2. Adjustable shelving and supporting means therefor comprising:

(a) two or more vertical front shelf support means having rearwardly extending ribs,

a plurality of first slots extending forwardly from the rear edge of said ribs and terminating in downwardly directed notches therein defining front hooks;

(b) two or more vertical rear shelf support means having forwardly extending ribs,

a plurality of second slots extending rearwardly from the forward edge of said ribs and terminating in downwardly directed notches therein defining rear hooks;

(c) shelves adapted to engage selected ones of said front hooks in adjacent pairs of said front shelf support means and having moveable clips adapted to engage selected ones of said rear hooks in adjacent pairs of said rear shelf support means;

(d) shelving extensions adapted to fit between said adjacent pairs of front shelf support means forwardly of said shelves and in abutting relationship therewith, and

supporting arms projecting upwardly from said shelving extensions and terminating in outwardly extending portions adapted to engage selected ones of said front hooks above the said selected front hooks supporting the shelves associated therewith.

3. Adjustable shelving and supporting means therefor comprising:

(a) two or more vertical front shelf support means having rearwardly extending ribs,

a plurality of first slots extending forwardly from the rear edge of said ribs and terminating in downwardly directed notches therein defining front hooks;

(b) two or more vertical rear shelf support means having forwardly extending ribs,

a plurality of second slots extending rearwardly from the forward edge of said ribs and terminating in downwardly directed notches therein defining rear hooks;

(c) shelves adapted to engage selected ones of said front hooks in adjacent pairs of said front shelf support means and having moveable clips adapted to engage selected ones of said rear hooks in adjacent pairs of said rear shelf support means;

(d) shelving extensions adapted to fit between said adjacent pairs of front shelf support means forwardly of said shelves and in abutting relationship therewith, and

supporting arms projecting downwardly from said shelving extensions and terminating in out- Wardly extending portions adapted to engage selected ones of said front hooks below the said selected front hooks supporting the shelves associated therewith.

4. The invention described in claim 1, wherein said shelving extensions are provided with rearwardly extending means adapted to engage said shelves.

5. The invention described in claim 1, wherein said shelving extensions are provided with rearwardly extending flanges adapted to engage said shelves.

6. The invention described in claim 1, wherein said shelving extensions are provided with rearwardly extending flanges having downwardly concave channels therein adapted to conform to and engage the underside of said shelves, thereby restraining all rearward and upward motion of said shelving extensions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,201,144 5/1940 Peltier et al. 108-153 2,251,799 8/1941 Nave 108-144 2,599,607 6/ 1952 Burrise 211-153 2,604,375 7/1952 Beckett 312-351 3,110,536 11/1963 Costantini et al. 312-350 3,186,364 6/1965 Costantini et al. 108-146 3,208,405 9/ 1965 Costantini et al. 312-351 3,208,406 9/1965 Maslow 108-64 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. JAMES T. MCCALL, Examiner. G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. ADJUSTABLE SHELVING AND SUPPORTING MEANS THEREFOR COMPRISING: (A) TWO OR MORE VERTICAL FRONT SHELF SUPPORT MEANS HAVING REARWARDLY EXTENDING RIBS, A PLURALITY OF FIRST SLOTS EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM THE REAR EDGE OF SAID RIBS AND TERMINATING IN DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED NOTCHES THEREIN DEFINING FRONT HOOKS; (B) TWO OR MORE VERTICAL REAR SHELF SUPPORT MEANS HAVING FORWARDLY EXTENDING RIBS, A PLURALITY OF SECOND SLOTS EXTENDING REARWARDLY FROM THE FORWARD EDGE OF SAID RIBS AND TERMINATING IN DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED NOTCHES THEREIN DEFINING REAR HOOKS; (C) SHELVES ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SELECTED ONES OF SAID FRONT HOOKS IN ADJACENT PAIRS OF SAID FRONT SHELF SUPPORT MEANS AND HAVING MOVEABLE CLIPS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SELECTED ONES OF SAID REAR HOOKS IN ADJACENT PAIRS OF SAID REAR SHELF SUPPORT MEANS; (D) SHELVING EXTENSIONS ADAPTED TO FIT BETWEEN SAID ADJACENT PAIRS OF FRONT SHELF SUPPORT MEANS FORWARDLY OF SAID SHELVES AND IN ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH, AND SUPPORTING ARMS CONNECTED TO SAID SHELVING EXTENSIONS AND HAVING OUTWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SELECTED ONES OF SAID FRONT HOOKS. 